Prolonging Life Of The Terminally Ill - 1261 Words

Prolonging life of the terminally ill is a bioethical decision. Bioethics is the study of controversial ethical issues that have come about due to advances in biology, medicine, and technology. Some think it is a simple decision on whether to let the pacemaker run or turn off, while others agree that it is a much harder decision than that. The decision of prolonging life comes with medical, moral, financial and legal obstacles (Butler 2013). Making health decisions is a big part of one’s life. These decisions can affect the happiness and well being of a person. Along with these many difficult decisions come challenges and obstacles. The first major challenge when deciding whether to prolong life is the question of will this help or cure the illness? Sometimes continuing life this way will only make suffering longer. In some cases, it is not as good as it sounds because of the side effects that come along with this decision. One side effect is that prolonging life can disrupt a person s quality of life. Christiaan Barnard says that, â€Å" I have learned from my life in medicine that death is not always an enemy. Often it is a medical treatment. Often it achieves what medicine cannot achieve-it stops suffering† (Jones p.1). Although, there are cons to prolonging life there are also pros. When a patient is having their life prolonged, their health might end up returning to its normal state or an even better state. The individual may have a bucket list of things theyShow MoreRelatedThe Bioethics Of Prolonging Life Of The Terminally Ill1270 Words   |  6 PagesThe Bioethics of Prolonging Life of the Terminal Ill Prolonging life of the terminally ill is a bioethical decision. Bioethics is the study of controversial ethical issues that have come about due to advances in biology, medicine, and technology. Some think it is a simple decision on whether to let the pacemaker run or turn off, while others agree that it is a much harder decision than that. The decision of prolonging life comes with medical, moral, financial and legal obstacles (Butler 2013)Read MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legal?1360 Words   |  6 Pagesdefined as conduct that brings about an easy and painless death for persons suffering from an incurable or painful disease or condition† (Muckart, et al 259). Euthanasia, also dying with dignity, is the practice of the termination of a terminally ill person s life in order to relieve them of their suffering. Euthanasia is one of today’s most controversial health issues with debates on people’s right to die or live. It is a topic that has been debated morally, ethi cally and legally. It has been describedRead MoreThe Controversial Debate On Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide1290 Words   |  6 PagesThe Right to Life (and Death) In 1776, our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, guaranteeing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This brings up the question, if you have the right to life, do you have the right to death? After all, it is your life and no one else’s, right? This is the question at the very center of the controversial debate on the legalization of physician assisted suicide in the United States. Anti-physician assisted suicide groups often argue that no individualRead MoreDying With Dignity. The Right To Assisted Suicide Is A1090 Words   |  5 Pagesand respect for the dying. Physicians are also divided on the issue. They differ where they place the line that separates relief from dying--and killing. For many the main concern with assisted suicide lies with the competence of the terminally ill. Many terminally ill patients who are in the final stages of their lives have requested doctors to aid them in exercising active euthanasia. It is sad to realize that these peo ple are in great agony and that to them the only hope of bringing that agony toRead MoreWorldview As A Person s Worldview1402 Words   |  6 PagesChristians to follow God’s will for our life (Drury 3). Likewise, with the five points to a person’s worldview and a christian worldview, terminally ill or extremely pained people end their life. Currently, there are four states that passed a law stating under certain circumstances a person is legally allowed to die with physician-assisted suicide. The opponents state that people have the right to refuse life prolonging treatment, but have no right to end their own life in any way possible. I chose to believeRead MoreEuthanasia Is A Painless, Quick, And Peaceful Death1569 Words   |  7 Pagesbe a safe and legal option for all terminally ill adult patients. There are different types of euthanasia that can be practiced. Voluntary euthanasia is when a fully conscious and competent patient requests the death provided by a doctor or physician. When a non-voluntary euthanasia is occurring, it means an incompetent, or unconscious person is being euthanized at the decision of the appropriate person. An example would be an unconscious and terminally ill wife is euthanized at the decision ofRead MoreIs Euthanasia A Assisted Suicide Or Killing Of A Patient With A Terminal Illness?937 Words   |  4 Pageswhich was: is euthanasia ethical? Next I had to list possible alternatives for this problem. One possible alternative I came up with was the terminally ill person waiting until life took its course and they were to die on their own. Another alternative I discovered was to keep the ailing person on life support for extended periods of time prolonging their life. After determining the alternatives for the problem then an outcome has to be pred icted for each alternatives. For the first alternative, lettingRead MorePosition Paper- Palliative vs Curative Care1310 Words   |  6 Pagesquality of life of patients and families who are crippled with life threatening illnesses. Alternatively, curative care is an approach that aims to prolong life through technological advances and medicine. It seems that the best approach to health care, would be to improve the quality of life as well as prolong life, through a combination of both curative and palliative care. The best approach to health care is a combination of both curative and palliative care. Combining the best of life prolongingRead MoreResearching Physician Assisted Suicide801 Words   |  3 Pagesyears ago, it should be considered a correct practice. In fact, in the case of Vacco v. Quill, one point raised was that Over time, the Hippocratic Oath has been changed, and deleted. In order to do-no-harm one would end suffering instead of prolonging it. With the use of Supreme Court cases, and professional psychologist and medical quotations, one can see the clear reasons that this topic must be allowed. In the end, euthanasia should definitely be considered correct both legally and morallyRead MoreHospice750 Words   |  3 PagesWhen a person is diagnosed with a terminally illness and is given an expectancy of six months or less to live, it is time to concentrate on the type of care will need. Many times a person and their family will turn to hospice care. The meaning of hospice i s to provide care to a person who is terminally ill. Hospice does not speed up or postpone death. Hospice is a type of care that provides services to improve the quality of life for the patient and family. Hospice exists in the hope and